May was a month centred on opportunity, education, and community at The Smile Outreach. From reopening applications for our Outreach Youth Lab in a more accessible format to conversations around menstrual health and celebrating members of our volunteer community.
This month reminded us of the importance of creating spaces where young people and women feel informed, supported and empowered. Here is a look at what happened this May:
This month, we have officially reopened applications for the Outreach Youth and Adolescent Lab; this time in a format designed to make the program more accessible to young changemakers.
OYAL LITE aims to equip passionate young leaders with the tools, knowledge and support needed to advocate for a more just and equitable society. The program continues to reflect our commitment to youth leadership, community engagement and social impact.
Applications are still open for interested participants
This Menstrual Hygiene Day, we joined the global call to break the silence surrounding menstruation and create a world where girls and women can manage their periods with dignity, confidence and support.
For many girls, menstruation still begins with confusion and fear due to limited education and harmful stigma. For some women, shame surrounding periods continues well into adulthood. Mothers and caregivers may also struggle with how to begin conversations about menstrual health with their daughters.
Throughout the month, we emphasized the importance of menstrual education, open conversations and access to accurate information. As part of this effort, we shared a free educational resource: the A-Z of Menstruation Pocket Guide, designed to help adolescents, parents, caregivers, and communities better understand menstruation and start informed conversations about feminine health.
We encourage everyone to continue sharing knowledge, asking questions and contributing to a more informed and supportive environment for girls and women everywhere because creating a #PeriodFriendlyWorld is a collective effort.
The Orphanage Feeding Support Program is a response to this pressing need, ensuring that vulnerable children have access to nutritious meals. More than just providing food, our holistic approach also integrates educational programs, providing children with the knowledge and support they need to thrive. In May, we reached more children and adolescents in the Mopa Local Government Area of Kogi State.
This month, we also took time to celebrate one of our HQ volunteers as she marked her birthday. At The Smile Outreach, our volunteers remain an important part of the work we do across communities. Their dedication, compassion and willingness to serve continue to strengthen our programs and impact.
We are grateful for the contributions of volunteers like Ify and for the energy they bring to the organisation.
We also recognise one of our very own volunteers, Blessing, for her contribution to this month’s Smile commitment through her digital awareness content on menstruation.
Her content highlighted an important message: “Menstruation is natural and should never be treated as shameful, dirty or something to hide”. It emphasised the importance of education, dignity, support and access to menstrual hygiene for girls and women.
You can view Blessing’s post here:
These contributions reflect the diverse ways members of The Smile Outreach community continue to educate, advocate and drive meaningful conversations around menstrual health and dignity.
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